Alternative Dispute Resolution Personnel

Individuals who utilize arbitration, mediation, conciliation and other processes that are alternatives to formal court hearings to facilitate settlement of disputes between parties. During arbitration, opposing parties submit their dispute to one or more impartial persons, called arbitrators, for a final and binding decision. Arbitrators are usually attorneys or businesspersons with expertise in a particular field. Mediation involves an attempt by the parties to resolve their dispute with the aid of a neutral third party and generally is used when the parties wish to preserve their relationship. A mediator may offer suggestions, but resolution of the dispute rests with the parties themselves. Conciliation is similar to mediation. The conciliator's role is to guide the parties to a settlement. The parties must decide in advance whether they will be bound by the conciliator's recommendations; and they generally share equally in the cost of the conciliation.